Cranberry cop thankful for return after 22-month ordeal

Nearly two years ago, Cranberry police Cpl. Dan Hahn plunged more than 20 feet over an Interstate 79 overpass while chasing a suspect on foot.

The suspect, Thomas William Booth, died in his fall. But Hahn survived through a coma, ongoing pain, rehabilitation work and time spent in a wheelchair.

As Hahn walked through the doors of the Cranberry Police Department on Wednesday morning and returned to light duty, one word came to mind.

"Victory," he said. "It's something that I've been wanting to do since I got hurt, and I needed to prove to myself that I could do it."

State police said Booth was sleeping inside a parked SUV along Blackburn Road when a Sewickley Heights officer approached it on Valentine's Day in 2011. When the 22-year-old man woke up, he refused to cooperate and drove away, police said.

The pursuit covered 20 miles, going through two counties and involving five police departments as it continued into Jackson Township and reached speeds of up to 100 mph on I-79, police said. Booth eventually got out and jumped, and Hahn followed.

The encouragement of others was a key factor in Hahn's recovery, he said. The thankful officer advises anyone who's coming back from a serious injury to surround themselves with support.

"Don't give up under any circumstances," Hahn said. "No matter what the doctors say, no matter what the nurses say, no matter what other people say, you know in your heart that you need to get better."

He also had a message to the Cranberry community: "I thank you for your support and prayers and your cards and thoughts. They have been so appreciated. They have pushed me to get better and fight harder."